Trap.



I M. ENGSTROM.

TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 26,1908.

904,608. Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

i I MAURITZ ENGSTROM,'0F SIREN, WISCONSIN.

TRAP.

" a... abacus. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

Application filed June 26, 1908. Serial No. 440,603.

To all provided between the uprights 2 with cam Be it known that I,MAUnrrz ENosTnoma shaped projections v17, so positioned with citizen of the United States, residingv at reference tothe platform 3, which rests Siren, inthe county of Burnett and State of; thereon, that the weight of an animal step isconsin, have invented a new and useful ping thereon will cause the platform 3 to act Trap, of which the following is a specificaas a trigger on the cam projections 17 to tion. turn the shaft 14.

This invention relates to that class of ani- When the trap is unset the springs 11, and mal traps having spring actuated jaws which jaws 7 will be in the position' shown in are released and snapped to closed position dotted lines in Fig. 1 of drawing and the by the weight of an animal stepping on a cylindrical sockets 15 will be in a position small platform and releasing a trigger. which places the slots 16 in a horizontal line Theobject of the invention is to provide transverse to the uprights 2. To set the trap an unproved trap of this kindwhich will the springs 10 are compressed to the position operate effectively and readily catch an anishown in Fig. 1, which draws the frames out mal. to the extended position shown in Fig. 1,

The invention-consists of an improved aniwith the jaws 7 set in open position.

mal trap constructed and arranged as here- The ends of the lower pairs of arms 12 are inafter set forth and claimed. moved through the slots 16 into the cylin- Referring to the accompanying drawing drical sockets 15, and the shaft 1 1 is turned Figure l is a plan view of the invention to bring the slots 16 to the position shown showing the trap set. Fig. 2 is an end view in Fig. 3 thereby retaining the ends of arms thereof. Fig. 3 is a side view partly broken 12 in the sockets 15. In this position the away and in vertical section on the line w-w cam projections 17 project against the plat- Fig. 2. Fig. is a detail View of a portion form 3 so as to be operated by a weight of the device for springing the trap. Fig. 5 brought'to bear upon the platform and the shows a device for setting the trap. trap is set. To compress and hold the The trap is constructed with a frame consprings 10 while setting the trap a suitable sisting of a cross bar 1, and uprights 2. A key or setting device may be employed, and small platform 3 is mounted in the uprights as here shown consisting of a U shaped 2, and is vertically movable thereon by means frame 18 with slotted uprights 19 connected of a projection 4 on each side engaging a at a little distance from their ends by a cross vertical groove 5 in the inner face of each bar 20, and having pivoted in the uprights upright 2. Located on opposite sides of lever arms 21 adapted to fold into the up-' and above the platform 3 are frames 6, each rights 19.

having at its outer end a toothed jaw 7 ,the The upper ends of the lever arms 21 are said frames 6 being slidably mounted one connected together by a toggle lever 22 by above the other on the upper end of the upmeans of which they may be moved into rights 2 by means of pins 8 on said uprights closed position in the uprights 19, or have engaging longitudinal slots 9 in the frame 6. their lower ends moved inwards and towards To snap the jaws 7 to closed position suiteach other. To use the device the lever arms able springs are provided, and as here shown, 21 being folded into the uprights 20, the latpreferably the U-shaped springs 10, extendter are set over, and outside'of the arms 12.

mg laterally from the sides ofthe trap, and Then by pressing down on the toggle lever having upper and lower pairs of arms 11, 22 the lower ends of the lever arms 21 are and 12, the upper arms 11 being pivotally pressed inwards and move the arms 11, and connected to lugs 13 on the frames (5 at their 12 of the springs 10 together, thereby eninner end, and the lower arms 12 being abling the ends of arms 12 to be inserted in adapted to engage a devicefor releasing the sockets 15, and held together till the shaft springs and aws. The releasing or trip- 14 is turned to lock the ends of arms 12 in ping device consists of a .rotary shaft 14 the sockets 15.

mounted in the uprights 2 adjacent to their The trap in use is secured in place in any lower end, and projecting through the same. well known manner, and being set will be in- Upon each projecting end of the shaft 14 is stantly sprung by the weight of an animal a cylindrical socket 15 having slots 16 in its stepping on the platform, the latter acting rim opposite to each other. The shaft 14 is on the cam projections 17, which causes the shaft 14 to rotate a quarter of a turn thereby bringing the slots 16 to a horizontal position upon which the ends of arms 12 fly out of sockets 15. The springs 10 being thereby released will expand and draw the frames 6 inwards thereby causing the jaws 7 to snap together.

Having described the invention, I claim 1. An animal trap having slidable jaws movable towards each other; springs connected with said jaws to close them Qftttrtripping device adapted to be detachably connected with said springs; and a trigger platform adapted to operate said tripping device.

2. An animal trap provided with slidable frames with jaws movable towards each other; springs connected with said frames to operate the same, a tripping device adapted to be detachably connected with said springs and a trigger platform movable against, and adapted to operate said tripping device.

3. An animal trap having slidable jaws movable towards each other; springs connected with said jaws to close the same; a tripping device adapted to be detachably connected with said springs, and hold them under tension, and a vertically movable trigger platform adapted to operate said tripping device.

4. An animal trap provided with slidable jaws movable towards each other; springs connected with said jaws to close the same; a rotary cam operated tripping device adapted to be detachably connected with said springs and hold them under tension; and a movable trigger platform connected with and adapted to act on said tripping device.

5. An animal trap provided with slidable frames having jaws; springs having pairs of arms, one pair being connected with said frames, and the other being free, a trlpping device adapted to be detachably connected with the free arms of said springs; and a trigger platform movable against said tripping device to actuate the same.

6. An animal trap consisting of a frame with uprights; a pair of frames with jaws close the jaws; one pair 0on slidable on the uprights to springs having pairs of arms, nected with the slidable frames, other pair free; a rotary shaft in said frame with cam projections and means at its ends for holding the free arms of the springs under tension, and releasing the same; and a trigger platform slidably mounted in said frame, and resting on the cam projections.

7. An animal trap consisting of a frame with uprights; horizontal frames with jaws slidable past each other on said uprights; springs having pairs of arms, one pair connected with said frames to operate the same, and the other pair being free; a rotary shaft having cams, and cylindrical slotted sockets adapted to hold the free arms of the springs under tension, and release the same; and a platform vertically movable in said uprights, and resting on said cams of the rotary shaft. 7 1n testimonythat I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

MAURITZ ENGSTROM.

Witnesses:

N. C. FOLGER, EMMA SLOAN.

and the 

